Woah, 2020 am I right? 

Raise your hand if you did a lot of fearing this year? You can’t see me, but I have both hands and feet raised. If you’re being completely honest with yourself then you have a hand or two up too. I also think we could all agree that if we had to choose a word to label this year it would be “FEAR.” 

March 11th, the day the world as we knew it came to a halt. Suddenly, we weren’t allowed to go back to school, we couldn’t go to work, there was no toilet paper on the shelves at Walmart, and all of our plans for the months ahead were slowly cancelled. No matter what channel you put on, or what media platform you scrolled through, you were faced with scary statistics, an increasing death toll, and the looming cloud of fear. Friends, can I let you in on something that often times we forget about? While everyone was running scared and afraid there was one who didn’t even flinch. The Creator of the Universe. I know, I know. As believers we know this, but when it suddenly feels like our world is crashing around us, it’s the last thing we choose to remember. I am guilty of it. I’m guilty of doing my quiet time and being reminded of God’s promises but five minutes later I’m letting the enemy scare me into a corner. I’m guilty of throwing a selfish pity party for myself instead of being reminded that God’s plans WERE and ARE always better than mine. 

When Jesus whispers for us to draw near, the devil screams about everything that we should be fearful of. 

“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand.” - Isaiah 41:10

This was God’s promise to the people of Israel, and it’s His promise to His people today. It’s a promise that no matter what you are going through He, the loving Father is right there with you. It’s a reminder that He will equip you and help you if you seek His strength and not your own.

One thing that I learned this year was the idea of praying more and fearing less. You see, the more time you spend talking to Jesus, the less amount of time you spend fearing the worst. It’s exactly what the enemy doesn’t want, which is why it’s so special. The more time I spend talking to my Father, trusting Him, and pursuing Him with my whole heart the less time I spend worrying about the “what-if’s.” 

In Luke 22, Jesus tells His disciples that they shouldn’t be worried, God will provide for them. God knows your needs and your worries. He’ll take care of everything in His timing. 

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” – Luke 12:51

Whatever it is you’re fearful of, give it to God. As we end this year and enter the next, let’s not let the events of 2020 dictate how we see 2021. I want to challenge you to spend more time praying and less time being scared. As believers we know this isn’t our forever home. This is temporary, we don’t belong here, our home is in Heaven (and by the way that’s the party I absolutely cannot wait for). In 2021, lets be the light of the world, a city set on a hill. Let’s not let fear suppress the joy we have in Jesus. Let’s spread the Gospel like it’s the last day we have. 

Let’s all pray more and fear less.